Shutting your eyes

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Dana Sheets
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Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2002 6:01 am

Shutting your eyes

Post by Dana Sheets »

Keeping your eyes open when hitting or being hit seems to be a difficult thing for many to achieve.

What tips do you have to share on how you learned to keep your eyes open? How do you cultivate this skill in your students?

Second:
Look them in the eyes - great when they are about your height -- difficult to keep your chin tucked doing that when they are a foot or more taller than you.
Where do you look when facing a much taller opponent?
Dana
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f.Channell
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Location: Valhalla

Shutting your eyes

Post by f.Channell »

Dana,
I was actually taught to look at their upper chest by my original instructor. Since I'm 5'7" this spot is usually level with most taller opponents. The eyes can give away their movements, but can also fake you out well. I still revert to this even though many other seniors don't like it so well.
In grappling it's irrelevent, standing or on the ground, excepting the first block of course. Once you have a good grip, you have to be more aware of their balance.
In keeping you eyes open perhaps following a flickering flame of a candle may help.
F.
beckyhaworth
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Location: Yuma, AZ, USA
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Shutting your eyes

Post by beckyhaworth »

I also find it difficult to keep my eyes open when something is coming at my face.

I think it stems back from my childhood and being scared of the baseball after getting hit in the face.

I have tried to overcome this, with very little success. It has just become a reaction that takes over when I don't want it too.

I am always interested in trying something new to get me past this hurdle.

Becky
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CANDANeh
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Shutting your eyes

Post by CANDANeh »

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote
I also find it difficult to keep my eyes open when something is coming at my face.
Natural reaction to protect the eyes, Sanchin testing used to involve testing if a person blinks when quickly moving the hand towards the face in some dojo at least. Not blinking is not a natural response so should it be trained out and can it be????
david
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Shutting your eyes

Post by david »

Progressive reflex drills, from basic attack and counter at slow/medium speed to complex combos and reaction at higher speeds. You hardwire perception and reactions and build confidence that you will block/parry/evade the attack. You'll learn/believe that even a slight movement of the head will take the edge of a hit. Consequently, you realize your best chance even in late reaction is to keep the eyes on the ball (oops... fists/feet). Turning away or closing the eyes is the prelude to the big blackout.

david
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